Chapter Twenty Eight: Thy Memorial
These deeds shall thy memorial be.
Fear not, thou didst them unto me.
-James Montgomery, 'A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief'
(Highly recommended listening!)
xxXxx
The grandmotherly figure smiled warmly at her. "Aye, it's me, lass. Do you know who I am?"
Of course Haru knew. But that didn't keep her from staring.
It was none other than the woman who had given her the satchel after leaving her father. But the last thing she was now was blind, even though her eyes were still a beautiful silvery grey. Almost of their own accord, her eyes glanced down at the fairy's hands.
They had long, elegant fingers. A little numbly, as an almost forgotten memory resurfaced, she reached forward and grabbed one hand.
The fairy offered no resistance as Haru placed the hand over her lips, her eyes widening. She knew this touch, despite the years since feeling it.
"Aye, lass. That was me that day as well." She shook her head in warm reminiscence. "Even with your curse, you were a darling child. Such a shame that those villagers weren't willing to see that."
"… How did you know I was in trouble that day?" the brunette nearly whispered.
"I can always tell when you're in trouble, lass. Part of being a fairy godmother is in knowing when my godchild is in danger." Still grinning, she used the same hand to caress Haru's face. "I wasn't certain anyone would be able to top your mother when it comes to getting in trouble, but you've gone there and beyond. What's more is that most of the time you didn't even need my help to get back out of it. I'm so proud of you, dear Haru."
"… I have a godmother?" she finally managed to squeak, since her mind had slowed from shock.
"Fairy godmother," she corrected with a mischievous grin, taking the opportunity to steal a hug of her own. "My name is Talia and I watched over your mother and grandmother as well as you. But I must say; you were the hardest of the three to keep track of. Perhaps we should sit down for a bit," she added, taking the girl by the elbow to sit on the edge of the bed.
She gave a fond glance at the quilt covering it. "You found your mother's chest, I see."
Haru nodded numbly. "She did a beautiful job on this."
Talia sighed, tracing the wings of one pixie. "I remember watching her make this on a balcony during the warm seasons and by that same fireplace when it wasn't so warm. It broke her heart to have to leave it behind."
"Why, if she was able to bring the fur coat?"
"It was the middle of winter when I helped her escape. None of her cloaks were as warm as the fur coat and she needed to travel light. That coat saved her and your father from freezing to death more than once, you know. Speaking of which, I would like to make a trade with you."
"Over what?" she asked curiously.
She grinned and showed off one thin wrist. Like a roadside magician, she began pulling a fabric from the inside of her sleeve, but unlike a petty magician, the cloth kept growing until it grew fur and became a familiar sight.
"The fur quilt!" Haru cried happily, putting her arms around it as much as possible for a hug. Despite the fact that her nose wasn't as good anymore, she could still smell her father in the fur.
"Are you willing to trade your cloak for your mother's coat?"
"Without a thought. Wait right here," she promised, getting up to dive into the dark closet. After a servant had dropped off her cloak, she had shoved it into a corner, but she wasn't about to say no to a chance to be rid of the thing. "What are you planning to do with it?" she asked while heaving it out of the door.
"I wish to return it to my cousin," Talia replied, smirking terribly as she folded the bearskin cloak into a pocket of her dark dress the way only a fairy could. "We had a bet going on whether or not you could break the curse and I have a bit of gloating to do."
"… Why did you let her do it?" she asked in a tiny voice. "Both Mama and I were in terrible danger that day. Why didn't you come then?"
Talia gave her a stricken look, but tugged the girl back onto the bed to wrap a thin arm around her shoulders. "I wanted to, darling. Good heavens, how I wanted to prevent it."
"So why didn't you?"
She gave a long sigh. "That's a long story, dear heart. But you're finally ready to hear it. Are you aware of the reason both you and your grandfather are berserkers?"
Haru cocked her head in confusion. "It's just a genetic condition, isn't it?"
"That's my point, dear heart. You see, my kind makes a habit of watching over the human race, intervening when necessary. Sometimes it works out and other times it doesn't. The Fae are both respected and feared for the power we hold, but humans often misunderstand our intentions. Weren't you even slightly puzzled as to why a merchant's daughter was allowed to marry a royal?"
Haru blinked. "My mind's been pulled so many ways today, I didn't really think I had energy left to wonder about it. Maybe she was really pretty?"
"Elia was beautiful, no doubt of it, but it takes more than that to marry into the royal family. You see, dear heart; over a century ago, the royalty were all sickly and becoming short-lived. They couldn't understand the reason why until I and a few others appeared at a grand counsel and explained that it was all the inbreeding. Princes marrying princesses, cousins marrying cousins… it's not healthy at all. We ended up forbidding all royalty and nobility from marrying each other and told them to turn to the peasantry for mates."
"Get some fresh blood into those lines," Haru realized, making Talia nod.
"We made the ban to last for a hundred years. The ones that didn't obey were cursed to wither away so that another could take the crown. That's why you're a berserker; it's the result of all that inbreeding."
Haru couldn't suppress a shudder. "So, he was worse because he was more inbred than I am?"
"There is also your personality to consider. His parents weren't careful about spoiling him, so he thought it was alright to demand whatever he wanted. Elia was the only one that was able to calm him down before he was ready, but that's not what she's best known for."
"Then what is?" her charge asked curiously.
"She is best known as the girl who was mistreated by her step-family, and was able to break free, marry a prince, and live happily ever after. I tried to tell her that he wasn't as charming as he appeared to be from a distance, but nothing could change her mind. Such a stubborn girl."
"Nice to know I came by that honestly," she couldn't help but laugh.
"Indeed. Nonetheless, she was heralded as a new beginning and the entire country mourned when she died, most of all your grandfather. He didn't always show it the way she wanted, but he did love her. Lune would be more than happy to tell you the whole story, although he doesn't know that the fairy that cursed him is the same one that helped your grandmother."
"He doesn't?"
"No, because no one was supposed to know. Once a godchild reveals that they are protected by the Fae, we have no choice but to withdraw that protection. I was planning on presenting you and your parents after your grandfather's death, but… human plans aren't the only ones that can be thwarted. I then planned to slowly guide you to Lycea, but then after seeing you take down the Soot Clan, I decided to let you pick your own path. Figures that it was the only plan that worked, albeit slower than I would have liked. But the things you've done… You were exactly what the world needed."
Haru nodded, her eyes widening with revelation. "Papa knew the rules Ukima played by."
"Yes. If your mother had kept silent, I might have been able to help her. You, on the other hand, did have a debt to my cousin to work off. My hands were tied, for the most part."
Slowly, Haru smiled. "I understand, Talia. But how come you never approached me and said who my mother was? I could have ended being Bearskin years ago."
"Yes, but what of all the souls you helped along the way?" She gently grabbed one arm and rolled back the sleeve of the nightgown to trace the many scars. "Is there a single one of these that you would have avoided earning?"
"… No," Haru admitted, tenderly touching the burn mark at the base of her neck from the dragon. "Each of these was honorably won. Except for the time you attacked me for saying something stupid during laundry day."
"You earned it, silly girl," Talia replied sweetly. But then she sighed. "Haru, the reason your grandmother's story became so famous isn't because she was the first ordinary girl to marry a royal. She was far from the first. However, she was the first to enter the royal family as an ex-servant. She represented all the people who are often overlooked and neglected. The ones that normally can only dream of a better life. Your mother represented the ones who fight against what is expected of them to carve out their own destiny."
She gently caressed Haru's face. "You? You represent a rather strange combination of the two. You are the one who'll stand and fight for the ones that can't do it for themselves. I've kept watch over you, so I know firsthand that you always did your best to lighten the loads of the downtrodden, even though you could do nothing for yourself. You never hid the fact that you didn't care about the payment and you were not afraid to walk away from getting paid when necessary."
Haru gave a dismissive sniff. "The people are what's important, not the payment."
Her godmother gave her a warm smile. "Right there. That's why they love you so much. Life is hard and sometimes cruel; you've seen that for yourself. People have always dreamed about someone that would come along and ease their burdens, or even remove them, but so few have been willing to take up that mantle. Despite the stories many invent, there's only so much that even the Fae can do. But you give them hope that things can change."
She looked down, feeling ashamed. "But I'm not everything they've been saying I am."
"They know your true identity now. Why not show them?" she suggested.
"I don't know where to start."
Talia reached over and tilted her chin in order to lock eyes. "You turned a terrible curse into a blessing for the world, and you're still but twenty two. You'll think of something, dear. Speaking of which, I have one final bit of business to discuss with you."
Haru nodded curiously.
"It is a tradition for fairy godparents to bless their charges with a gift, although unlike many of my friends, I like to wait until maturity so that my godchildren can choose it for themselves. Your grandmother chose the chance to marry a prince and your mother chose the chance to escape a king. I have to wonder, what will you choose, Haru?"
The girl stared at her. "I-I don't know. This is very sudden."
"Not even being rid of your scars?"
"Take that back!" she gasped in horror, covering her arms the best she could while holding them away from her godmother. "There's a story for each and every one of these scars! I wouldn't have found my way here without them!"
Talia smiled and patted her cheek. "That's all right, dear heart. When you decide upon something, call for me. I will hear you, as long as you keep my existence safe."
At that, her charge managed a nod. "Not even Baron will know. Just out of curiosity, are you Lune's godmother too, if you're hereditary?"
Talia just grinned. "I'm afraid that is information you don't need. Be well, my dear godchild." She opened the balcony door with one hand and began the transformation back into a crow.
"Talia!" Haru gasped out, just before the transformation was complete. "I know what I want, if it's not too much trouble."
The godmother laughed at that as she resumed her true form. "Knowing you, it won't be much."
"It might be. Toto and Muta told me that my father's very weak, and that was over two years ago. Is he still alive?"
Talia's smile faded. "It shouldn't take much to find out. Come here," she ordered, drawing her charge closer to the floor-length mirror. Once both were in front of it, the fairy brushed her fingers over the cool glass, murmuring something that sounded like a lullaby under her breath.
The reflection of the room wavered like the surface of a pond, but became still again.
"… I'm sorry, dear heart. He's gone."
Haru's heart broke from grief. "Oh, Papa," she wept into her hands. "I'm so sorry, Papa."
Talia seemed to prod the mirror with a strange expression. "But I can show you his last moments, if that is what you want."
"It is. Please."
The surface rippled again, erasing all traces of the room and replacing it with a small, dark place that she didn't recognize.
The occupants, however, were a completely different story.
ooOoo
Machida sighed tiredly as he entered the room for the fourth time that day with his wife's best broth. It had been a long day, mostly filled with boring paperwork, but it still wasn't done yet.
On the simple bed in the small room was a rail-thin man, his hair thinning and almost completely silver. He coughed again, spotting the already spotted pillowcase with blood.
"Hello, Hasho," Machida made sure to greet the man with a smile, setting the bowl aside in order to dab the blood off that worn face. "A merchant came to the village after I fed you lunch. He says that Bearskin rescued another princess."
Those old eyes glowed warmly at the name and he struggled to sit up. "Ha-ech!" he coughed again. He had been coughing so much lately…
Machida set one hand on his chest while using the other to rearrange the pillows for the nightly feeding. After wiping off his face again, of course.
Taking care of Hasho would be a lot easier if his wife was willing to lend more than her cooking skills. Sakura made the excuse of tending to their three children, but Machida valued his marriage too much to bring attention to her gossiping habits with the other wives. But then again, she as well as the rest of the village were put out that 'Stone Face' had repeatedly proven himself a hero since leaving them.
He struggled not to dwell on the thought, but it served the village right after treating him like trash since day one.
"This princess almost got buried alive, too," Machida said conversationally as he blew on the first spoonful of fish broth. "The merchant didn't have all the details, but Bearskin didn't marry this one, either. He must be holding out for someone amazing."
"Nothing less will do," Hasho wheezed, weakly holding onto his arm before the young mayor could spoon-feed him. "Machida, you've been so good to me since the plague came. But I need you to do one more thing for me."
"Anything, sir. Just name it," the young mayor urged while kneeling next to his bedside. He set the spoon aside for now.
The old trapper took in several deep breaths. "I have a daughter."
Machida gaped in total shock.
"She's been gone for some time, off to seek her fortune."
"What… but… how come you never mentioned this before?" he demanded.
"It was important that no one should know about her, but I think you deserve to. Machida… when she comes back or sends word, I want you to tell her I'm sorry. I tried, I truly did… it wasn't enough."
"What is it you're sorry for?" Machida encouraged him with as much tenderness as he could muster.
"I… wanted the chance… to say her name, one last time. Ha-ech!" he began coughing again, making specks of blood spew from his mouth.
Machida patiently used a handkerchief to pat his face clean once more. "What is her name? Why can't you say it?"
Hasho breathed heavily. "… Her place… to tell you."
The young man cocked his head in confusion. "Sir, none of this makes any sense."
"It will… in time. Tell her I… love her… so proud…" He weakly looked up as tears spilled down his cheeks. A smile surfaced slowly. "Her mother, too. So proud… our baby… Ha…"
Those were the last words Yoshioka Hasho ever spoke.
ooOoo
Haru turned away from the mirror, threw her arms around Talia's neck and wept nearly the whole night through. But unlike her previous tears, these held the promise of love and healing.
ooOoo
Machida respectfully pulled the sheet over the trapper's head, feeling very lost and confused. Since when did girls go out to seek their fortunes? It was such a large world and there wasn't much protection for the womenfolk.
"But how could he have a daughter?" he wept out loud, not leaving the man's side as he allowed tears of his own to fall. "He wasn't all that old and Bear-san would have mentioned growing up with a girl."
Just saying that pet name brought his dear friend's face back, still smiling in that stiff manner, as if it wasn't safe to give a true smile. He remembered the snow men they would build together every now and again when they were children, once his arm finished healing. He remembered the snow flower Bear-san had made to help him impress Sakura.
Good old Bear-san. If anyone deserved to be respected worldwide, it was him.
'I wonder if the daughter was how he knew what pleases women. Were they childhood sweethearts? What could possibly be so important about her, that they would take such pains to keep her a secret?'
"Bear-san," Machida groaned aloud. "Get cured and send me some answers already. None of this makes any sense."
ooOoo
Baron's nerves were unsteady, his first morning back at the palace. Back to his old life and in his true body. A slightly giddy feeling bubbled through his system from the wonderful fact, but his training as a politician made it possible for him to repress it with a mask of calmness.
Too bad the mask was coming off as soon as he reached his destination.
The soldier outside Lune's study stood up straighter as he approached. "Baron," he said with a nod.
"Evan," he replied with a slightly warmer grin than nobility usually gave servants.
The guard grinned back. "The imposter had nothing on you." Then he opened the door just enough to lean in. "Baron's here, your highness."
"Send him in," Lune said, sounding more relaxed than he had since before his father died.
Evan opened the door a bit wider and closed it again once Baron was through.
Taking in his friend's appearance, the lord shook his head good-naturedly. "I just might miss your red eye, my friend."
"I certainly won't," he chuckled, walking out from behind his desk to clasp his friend's shoulder. "But I did miss you. I would have done something about Othen before now, but there really was no evidence to find, even with spies in your home- no offense!" he quickly added.
"None taken if they're gone soon. The annulment will go through, right?"
"Of course. Are you certain you still want it?" Lune asked worriedly. "She is gone, after all, and she was about to confess when she died."
"I'm certain. She broke my heart and nearly broke my life. I owe her for letting me be Haru's traveling companion, but nothing else. Besides, my plan worked out brilliantly, if I do say so myself."
"Your… plan?"
"Certainly. I knew full well that Haru would reveal your grandfather's blood if we were in danger. If there's anyone I would prefer to trounce –Othen, was it?- it would be her."
Lune nodded, blinking back tears of relief. "Even the way she turns berserk is different from him. If only all berserkers were like her."
"A-men!" Baron agreed fervently. "I still have occasional nightmares about his method."
"Me too. But that's all in the past now," Lune managed to say while shaking off a bad shudder. "I have an amazing cousin, you're back, we're all cured from our various curses, and Othen's trial is tomorrow."
"Why not today?" Baron couldn't help but ask.
"I want him to enjoy the conditions in his cell. He hasn't been the kindest to your people, I'm afraid."
His blood ran cold. "I'll have to fix that."
"I thought you would feel that way. I think Jonathan was also replaced that night, so I took the liberty of sending out some troops to have him stand trial." Then he made a rueful face. "Actually, Haru was the one to suggest that, since he acted strange toward the guards two years ago. I should have remembered it myself."
"She certainly keeps us in line, doesn't she?" Baron couldn't help but laugh. "Her mother would be proud."
"I can't see how she could be anything else." He shook his head in dazzled happiness. "I mean, Bearskin! My cousin, of all things! I feel like I won a double lottery!"
"The entire kingdom did, my friend," Baron assured him, feeling unusually nervous. "Lune? We've been friends all our lives and I've been honored that you find value in my thoughts. I have one more that I hope you will find value in."
Lune grinned at him. "You're in love with my cousin?"
"… It's that obvious?" he asked sheepishly.
"About as much as which direction the sun rises, considering how hard it was for Muta and Toto to pry you off her yesterday. But here's a thought for you, my friend," the prince grinned while gripping his shoulder in comradeship. "There is no one I'd rather see court Haru than you. She needs someone who'll be for her what Bearskin's been to the world."
Baron gave him a warm smile at that. "She has mentioned once or twice that I keep her in line when she's doing the same for everyone else."
"Then what are you waiting for? Go flirt with her!" the prince jokingly shooed him toward the door.
Baron smiled even wider at that as he gave a thankful bow. "May I obey all your commands with equal pleasure."
"I rather doubt it, but we can hope. She's in Aunt Coletta's old room, but I don't know if she's awake yet."
"I'll find out. Thank you, my friend," Baron said with gratitude, clasping the prince's shoulder once before leaving the study at a quick clip.
"Good luck, Baron!" Evan said with a large grin, making the lord spare him an answering one before nearly running down the hall.
Not quite running. Despite his eagerness, he still had a reputation to maintain. But he was not afraid to admit that it would come out second best if he had to choose between his reputation and Haru.
Haru… it was such a lovely name. So unique, just like her.
Next thing he knew, he was standing outside a door that he used to burst through without a thought.
Coletta hadn't minded, as long as she was decent. She always had a smile for him and Lune, even during those terrible last days they had her.
He blinked to fight back the dark memories and politely knocked.
"Who is it?" Haru called, sounding so tired.
"It's Baron. Should I come back later?"
"No, come right in."
A warm smile crossed his lips as he obeyed. But then he stopped cold at the doorway. "Old habits die hard?" he asked dryly.
Her back was to him, seated at her mother's desk as a quill danced in front of her.
"What makes you say that?" she asked, still writing something at a rapid pace.
"You're in your regular clothes. Not quite ready for dresses?" he asked while closing the door behind him.
"Okay, one; what's in the closet is too fancy for my taste, no disrespect to my mother. Two, I am planning on getting some dresses today, but probably in the capital. I have a feeling that if I ask a seamstress in the palace, I'll just get what's already in the closet."
"That is a very accurate assumption. Getting a head start on the book you promised?" He came forward to see for himself.
"What? Oh no," she assured, finally turning to look at him. "I promised Machida I'd write him a letter after getting cured. It might be as thick as a book when I'm done, though." She set the quill aside for now, but his attention was already centered elsewhere.
There was a feline on her lap! There was an expensive collar around the neck, saying that it was a well-bred pet of someone, but that didn't change the fact that there was someone else on his spot! He was purring lazily, enjoying the slim hand running through his dark fur.
Baron stiffened and then glared at the cat. A series of meows issued from his throat in a firm tone, making the cat sit up and jump off her lap like it was on fire.
Haru stared in amazement. "You can still speak cat?"
"It would appear so." Baron marched over and lifted her right out the chair.
"Hey, put me down! You know I don't like being picked up!" she said in a panic as he marched over to a comfortable loveseat near the fireplace.
"Considering how many times you picked me up over the past two years, I feel free to pick you up whenever I please." He accented the announcement by setting her gently on the soft cushions and taking the seat beside her to place his head on the recently vacated spot. "Besides, I don't like sharing your lap."
The cat mewed a complaint, making Baron meow again to make it almost shrug and leave the room in search of another warm lap.
"Oh, getting territorial, are we?" she teased good-naturedly, now that she wasn't being lifted.
"Your lap is worth getting territorial over. You know how much I like lying here," he reminded her softly.
The young woman giggled, but took his forwardness as an invitation to play with his hair. She ran her fingers through it, silently noting the differences between it and his fur as she caressed it.
Her touch felt so good.
Baron purred happily from the attention, but after a few minutes she sighed.
"This isn't the same as it used to be."
"No. Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked worriedly while making to sit up.
"No," she scolded sternly, grabbing him by the shoulders to make him lay his head on her lap again. "I just said it was different, not to get up."
He started purring again as her fingers resumed playing with his hair.
"I know this is a little after the point, but now that I've tried talking with normal cats, I can really see how hard you were trying to tell me something was off. I'm sorry I never took the hints."
He opened one eye to look at her in irritation. "I already forgave you for that, remember? Besides, if I had been able to inform you on the truth, you would have challenged Othen immediately and I never would have gotten to be your traveling companion."
A shy smile tugged on her lips. "It felt amazing to have just one person I didn't have to lie to. Thanks for… well, everything."
"You didn't lie as often as you imagine," he informed her, reaching up to take one of her hands. "Your gender, voice, and blood properties were about it. You were quite honest in all other respects."
"It still wasn't as honest as I would have liked."
Baron smiled, but then blinked. "Haru? Didn't you sleep well last night? You look drawn."
She gave him a wan smile. "To be honest, I didn't sleep at all. Mama's diaries were more interesting."
"Wait, what?" he gasped in surprise. "You found her diaries? How?"
"They were hiding in a trunk behind the three most ridiculous dresses in the closet. Do you think Lune would like a look at them when I'm done?"
"Would he… of course he would!" he exclaimed, sitting up again. "Did it mention how she escaped?"
"No. But she did hope that you and Lune wouldn't clean out the orchard without her to keep you in line," she teased, playfully punching his arm.
He answered that with a nervous cough. "Ah, yes. We used to be quite the terrors of both palaces."
"I know. Most of the last two diaries are devoted to your old exploits. Some of her entries about you lasted ten pages." Then she sighed and scooted closer to wrap her arms around his chest.
He fought back a warm glow, which became easier at her next words.
"You and Lune were seven when it happened, too."
He nodded, taking the opportunity to hug her back. "Indeed. She left a large void in our lives."
She hugged him a little tighter. "Lune said so, too. I just can't help but feel cheated."
"Cheated?" he asked with surprise.
Haru nodded. "If that… thing had curled up and died after my grandmother did, I could have grown up knowing you and Lune. That would have been such fun."
A rather silly grin lit up his face at the thought, but then he shook his head. "Ah, but then I can almost assure you that your father would have been different. Even if the century ban was still in effect back then, it's highly doubtful that she would have still fallen for a trapper she hardly ever saw."
"… Then it was worth it for that alone." She held onto him, nearly burying her face in his shoulder.
"I bet Lune would have no objections to inviting your father to return to Lycea," he offered, brushing her soft hair against his face.
"Of course he wouldn't," she whispered, but she didn't sound as enthused as he thought she would be.
"What's wrong? Worried about your father?" he guessed.
"… Yes. He was sick when Toto and Muta saw him." She sighed, rubbing one cheek against his shoulder. "I guess I'll wait and see what happens when the messenger gets back from the Northern Lands. Baron? What if the people don't like me?" she asked in a little girl voice.
Baron couldn't help but laugh at that fear. "Even if I didn't know for a fact that they're thrilled to have you, all you would have to do is show them the side of you I've seen. That would be enough for them to worship the ground you throw people on."
"Why? Do you worship the ground I throw people on?"
"I find it moderately amusing, yes," he grinned, enjoying the chance to hold her in his arms. "But I'm rather hoping you'll let me have a turn with your shuriken. They look like such fun."
"Of course! My shuriken are your shuriken," she assured him, resting her head on his shoulder. "… Would you mind not moving? You're comfortable," she mumbled as her eyes began to close.
'Ha! Who needs that sleeping spell?' he couldn't help but gloat. But there was still business he wanted to discuss with her. "… Did you mean it? What you told Lune of Machida?"
She smiled happily, albeit sleepily. "Yes. It doesn't hurt to think about him anymore, and he treated me like a brother anyway. I hope he isn't too angry with me when he gets my letter."
"If he's truly like Lune, he'll forgive the deception. He'll understand that it was necessary."
Haru cuddled against him a little more with a sleepy smile. But then she suddenly sat up while blushing furiously. "I-I'm sorry, Baron. I shouldn't be this forward when you're like this."
He scowled and firmly pulled her onto his lap. "Did you hear me give a single protest?"
"Well, no-"
He wrapped his arms firmly around the young woman to pull her against him. "Then don't react like that. You trust me, don't you?"
"You've never let me down." She laughed a little sheepishly, but wrapped her arms around his neck. "You know, I kind of doubt you ever will."
"That is an incredibly accurate assumption." He gave her another hug and forced himself to be as brave as she was. "Haru?"
"Mm, hmm?" she asked, her tone making it clear that he needed to speak while she was still awake.
"… I just wanted you to know, I do my best to treat everyone with kindness and respect," he said in a rush, looking away as a blush stained his cheeks. "I sometimes fall short, especially when provoked, but I try very hard not to have an 'I'm better than you' aura."
Her eyebrows shot up in shock, making her sit up on his lap.
'That caught her attention.' "I hope you will also forgive me for being so forward, but it was quite difficult to get to sleep last night without your incredibly comfortable arms around me. You've gone and spoiled me and I have no regrets over the fact. Haru... you are without a doubt the most intriguing, compassionate, and sometimes aggravating woman I have ever had the honor to meet. Thanks to you, I'll never be able to think women are helpless again."
"So I did you a favor," she teased, although her eyes were startled and pleased.
"Repeatedly. Would… you be displeased if I were to court you?" he asked in a rush. "The ban on marrying between nobles has been over for three years and my family had been fond of marrying common folk long before the ban. Were you told of that prohibition?"
She nodded in numb shock. "Are you serious? You actually… want me as more than a friend?"
"I've never been more serious in my life. I've seen for myself who you are and what you do when you think no one's watching, and I like what I've seen. You're even better than what I was hoping for before meeting you," he added, his whole heart in his gaze.
"So let me get this straight," Haru said slowly. "I drag you thousands of miles away from home, throw you repeatedly into dangerous situations, make you endure my cooking… and you want to pursue me?"
He grinned roguishly at her. "Is that how you saw it? From where I was standing, you saved me from living a cursed life on the streets for an exotic vacation with lots of adventure that I've only dreamed of having, and I happen to enjoy your cooking." Baron then paused in thought. "Provided, of course, you let me show you where you were going wrong on the bread, at least."
"Oh, so you can make bread, can you?" she teased, but her eyes were sparkling in a way he had never seen before.
He loved seeing her like that. "My father was a miller's son before he married Mother. He knew a thing or two about making bread." A soft, wistful smile crossed his lips from sweet memories.
She smiled and almost hesitantly grabbed his hand. "I'm willing to learn a thing or two, if you're interested in teaching."
He grinned, but made her rest her head on his shoulder again. "There will be time enough for that, I think. I'd like you to rest before anything else."
Haru smiled shyly. "You're still bossy."
"You're still stubborn," he replied with a grin.
"You're still amazing."
"You're even more so." He kissed her brow. "Rest, Haru. I'll protect you from now on."
A tired smile lit up her face as her breathing began to slow. "Only if I get to protect you back."
The only answer to that was a contented purr.